iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

ANTHONY NOMINATIONS ARE OUT! And RHP's represented well, big thanks to the BCon voters who helped make this happen. Congrats to @curtisippolito.bsky.social @cwblackwell.bsky.social and @richienarvaez.bsky.social on their noms, big thanks to the contributors for OFUW! #bouchercon2026

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Alissa Grosso @alissagrosso.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Just read this and it’s a killer story

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Neon & Smoke @neonandsmoke.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It’s a lovely story. Sometimes our work just needs time to find its way to the right editor. We are glad you kept believing in it and grateful that you shared it with us @rjbrash.bsky.social check it out indeed!

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Raymond J. Brash @rjbrash.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My new story "Flower Girl" is up at @neonandsmoke.bsky.social . A story that was rejected a few times over the last two years but I didn't give up on it and glad I didn't. Check it out! www.neonandsmoke.com/september-sm...

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Neon & Smoke @neonandsmoke.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

September Smoke is rising at Neon & Smoke featuring some amazing artists. neonandsmoke.com including @jimmyfroh.bsky.social and @rjbrash.bsky.social

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Mary Thorson @marythor.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

New short story in @gonelawn.bsky.social about the Yuba County 5. gonelawn.net/journal/issu...

gonelawn.net

Gone Lawn 66 : Mary Thorson

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

First time doing an unboxing video, and had to film it at a place of significant meaning in WAVES OF BURDEN. Dropping June 24. Preorder your copy today at @bookshop.org, at your local independent bookstore, or wherever you buy books. Ride the waves!

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Take it from the king of crime fiction. I am so grateful for Shawn and his kind words.

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Sharing the cover of WAVES OF BURDEN. I’m so stoked. Heather Garth captured every vibe of the book in her design. Also live, a webpage to learn more, with a link to the ebook preorder. This baby drops five weeks from tomorrow. www.rockandahardplacemag.com/waves-of-bur...

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

A SUMMERTIME TREAT from RHP Press: WAVES OF BURDEN. The new novel from Anthony Award-winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social. You don't want to miss this one. #crimefiction

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

A TRIPTYCH FROM NICK KOLAKOWSKI: The “Jake Halligan” trilogy is an action-packed, blood soaked saga that will leave you wanting more! Pick up all three books by @nkolakowski.bsky.social for that crime fiction lover in your life today: bit.ly/3J1ekYN #crimefiction

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

We are so proud to make this announcement! None of this would've happened without the tireless work from our crew, editor @curtisippolito.bsky.social and all of the authors who contributed fantastic stories to bring awareness to this timely issue. #derringers2026 #crimefiction #climatechange

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

VOTING ENDS TODAY: If you're a Bouchercon voter and haven't subbed your ballot, please consider choosing this amazing anthology of 15 great climate change crime fiction stories, edited by @curtisippolito.bsky.social. Thank you! #bouchercon2026 #crimefiction #anthology

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Less than two months from now. ARCs available for reviewers, librarians, booksellers, podcasters, and bookstagrammers. Just ask.

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C.W. Blackwell @cwblackwell.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Just a few days left to get those ballots in 👇👇👇

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Hey, reviewers! Hit me up if you’d like an early look for a potential review. #wavesofburden

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

ANTHONY NOMINATIONS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 30TH: If you're a Bouchercon voter, please consider nominating one of RHP's two eligible books in this category. Thanks again for your support. #bouchercon2026

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

HAPPY EARTH DAY: To celebrate, RHP is offering their climate change crime fiction anthology for a discounted price of 99 cents for a limited time. Grab your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK #crimefiction #climatechange #earthday2026

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

So proud to share Meagan’s epic story in On Fire and Under Water has been selected for The Best American Mystery and Suspense issue coming out later this year! A truly well-deserved recognition! If you haven’t read this story yet, get to it! Huge thanks to Steph Cha and @meganabbott.bsky.social!

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

I would so appreciate if you would nominate On Fire for the Anthony Award for Best Anthology. Ballots are due by the end of April. And if you’re a Short Mystery Fiction Society member, please vote for it for the Derringers!

For award consideration: On Fire and Under Water: A Crime Fiction Anthology is eligible for a Best Anthology nomination for the Anthony Awards, as well as a vote as a finalist for the Derringer Awards.

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Caitlin Eliza (C.E.) McKenna @ce-mckenna.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I know it’s little, but HOLY SHIT OUR BOOK IS ON THE BESTSELLER SHELF OF THE BOULDER BOOKSTORE! We’re number 8! We’re number 8! 😂🎉 @pujaguha.bsky.social @rjbrash.bsky.social @curtisippolito.bsky.social @jimvermin.bsky.social @boulderbookstore.bsky.social

A Bestsellers bookshelf at the Boulder Bookstore

On Fire and Under Water books at the Boulder Bookstore

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C.W. Blackwell @cwblackwell.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Had a chance to talk to the great @tomandes.bsky.social about writing characters, violence, politics, and story endings. Go check it out on his Substack 👇👇👇 open.substack.com/pub/tandes/p...

open.substack.com

An Interview with C.W. Blackwell

In which I talk to the author of the terrific noir story collection Whatever Kills the Pain

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

On Fire and Under Water has been out for 6 months today. A reminder that we would love your Anthony Award nomination for Best Anthology. And if you haven’t read it yet, why not? 15 stories by 15 authors that absolutely show you how crime fiction can be entertaining and inform without preaching.

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Caitlin Eliza (C.E.) McKenna @ce-mckenna.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Had a wonderful event tonight at @boulderbookstore.bsky.social for ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER, a climate change crime fiction anthology. @pujaguha.bsky.social and @rjbrash.bsky.social knocked it out of the park AND we got to have Mac and cheese bites at the Pub after. Baller.

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Boulder Bookstore @boulderbookstore.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

"On Fire and Under Water" is a crime fic anthology exploring the intersection of climate change & crime, through the lens of 15 stories. Join us next week when Puja Guha, @ce-mckenna.bsky.social, & @rjbrash.bsky.social will join us to celebrate the book! Tix: OnFireandUnderWaterBBS.eventbrite.com

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Beau Johnson 🇨🇦 🪓 @beaujohnson44.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Hey, here’s another book I liked. You might like it too. #BookSky #ThursdayRecs

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C.W. Blackwell @cwblackwell.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Congrats to @rjbrash.bsky.social for winning the random drawing! A signed copy of @elleryqueenmm.bsky.social is headed your way 🤘

Autographed copy of my story in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

A copy of the Jan/Feb 2026 issue of EQMM peeking from a shipping envelope

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Richie Narvaez @richienarvaez.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Dear Anthony Award ballot fillers, Please consider "The Skies Are Red" for Best Short Story and ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER: A CLIMATE CHANGE ANTHOLOGY for Best Anthology. #bouchercon More about both here: arttaylorwriter.com/2025/10/28/t...

arttaylorwriter.com

The First Two Pages: "The Skies Are Red" by Richie Narvaez - Art Taylor

In April 2015, B.K. Stevens debuted the blog series “The First Two Pages,” hosting craft essays by short story writers […]

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C.W. Blackwell @cwblackwell.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

**BlueSky Giveaway** My Jan/Feb 2026 EQMM author issues came, featuring my Black Mask story MURDER ME IN THE NEON LIGHTS. Like and repost and I’ll pick a random account for a free autographed copy!!

Cover of the Jan/Feb 2026 issue of EQMM depicting a watercolor painting of a man in a fedora and trench coat

The table of contents of the Jan/Feb 2026 EQMM issue:

Santa Dash in Blue By PAT BLACK

Lord of Misrule BY THOMAS K. CARPENTER

Season of Giving BY ANNA SCOTTI

Aurora Australis BY MANDY LANGE

Crumbs BY LATOYA JOVENA
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The Adventure of the Belgravian Banshee

BY MICHAEL MALLORY
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Sherlock Holmes Has Domestic Trouble

BY ANDREW ARMSTRONG
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The Great Almond Heist BY SMITA HARISH JAIN
.. 147
221C Baker Street BY DAVID FRYER
.. 158
Coins in the Box BY KATE HOHL
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DEPARTMENT OF FIRST STORIES

Death in Little Village BY WALID TUERINA
..13
Skeleton Crew By V.G. BURKE
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PASSPORT TO CRIME

The Yellow Dog By TAPANI BAGGE...
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BLACK MASK

Murder Me in the Neon Lights By C.W. BLACKWELL,
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POETRY
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The first page of my story: MURDER ME IN THE NEON LIGHTS.

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Both are extremely worthy. Please consider nominating these incredible books.

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Rob D. Smith @robdsmith.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

My latest story Burning Shadows came out this week in Dog Named Dog Quarterly. Lot of creative fiction inside. You can pick it up here. a.co/d/0dRvqR7Z

a.co

Amazon.com

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MrBullBull @mrbullbull.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

"My girlfriend Annesa says she needs to visit her ex-boyfriend’s grave today because she felt his presence in second period during a lesson about tectonic plates crashing against each other." - @rjbrash.bsky.social mrbullbull.com/newbull/flas...

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

DERRINGER AWARD FINALIST! Big thanks to every SMFS member who voted for ON FIRE. And the warmest of congratulations to Editor @curtisippolito.bsky.social, and our 15 contributors. Great news.

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

About that great writing news I teased… I’m thrilled to announce I signed with RHP to publish my next novel, WAVES OF BURDEN. In working with the team last summer I found everyone to be passionate, dedicated, and so thoughtful. I can’t think of a better press to bring this story into the world.

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

NEW THIS SUMMER from RHP Press: WAVES OF BURDEN. The new novel from Anthony Award-winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social. You don't want to miss this one.

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Climate change is real. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social Listen to what @jordanharper.bsky.social says and order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Thrilled that On Fire and Under Water is a Finalist for the Best Anthology Derringer Award!Congrats to the other five well-deserving finalists also! This is an honor and I’m so happy for everyone at @rhppress.bsky.social and our 15 contributors for making this anthology such a great success.

shortmystery.blogspot.com

Derringer Award Announcement: 2026 Best Anthology Finalists

Derringer Awards,awards,Derringer Awards 2026,Best Anthology,Join SMFS,SMFS,Short Mystery Fiction Society,Derringer Awards Finalists

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN: Derringer Award-winning author @cwblackwell.bsky.social mourns an America lost to the shadows, exploring a broken economic system that has given rise to rampant inequality, violence, and darkness. Take it from @hlessig.bsky.social: bit.ly/4runwWU

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

3 BY NICK KOLAKOWSKI: The “Jake Halligan” trilogy is an action-packed, blood soaked saga that will leave you wanting more! Pick up all three books by @nkolakowski.bsky.social for that crime fiction lover in your life today: bit.ly/3J1ekYN

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

If you’re going to Left Coast Crime, some cool guys and I will be reading at Book Passage on Thursday night to celebrate the launch of The Savage Waves of Spring anthology.

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Time to read more gut-punching crime fiction anthologies from RHP. Add one or two or three collections to your wish list today. Better than broccoli: bit.ly/3MbYXOk

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Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Advance praise for the debut collection by @marythor.bsky.social. Out March 15th from RHP Press. #literaryfiction #crimefiction #darkfiction

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Curtis Ippolito @curtisippolito.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

So proud and thrilled for these three! I knew they would crush it. If you’re in Colorado, they’ll be doing two more events soon, so keep an eye out.

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Caitlin Eliza (C.E.) McKenna @ce-mckenna.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

It was so cool to have my very first live speaking event for the anthology ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER this past weekend. My friends @pujaguha.bsky.social and Raymond J. Brash joined me to chat with Douglas County readers about climate change, crime, and revisiting our favorite places through words!